TADHG LIGHTS UP LIONS TOUR

TADHG FURLONG, who returns to Ireland this week having shone in the British & Irish Lions red jersey, will be afforded a heroe’s welcome in his home county.

The tighthead prop was one of the stars of the team’s tour of New Zealand which ended in a draw, at Eden Park on Saturday.

The 24-year-old Campile man even had a song about him by thousands of fans, which starts with the memorable opening line: ‘Tadhg Furlong, Furlong; He’s big and he’s f ***ing strong’.

The Leinster tighthead prop said: ‘I got tweeted a video of fans singing it. It’s pretty cool. Very humbling. It’s hard to explain, having a song about you but it’s pretty cool seeing that.

He said Saturday’s result was tinged with a small bit of disappointment.

‘That weird feeling coming off a draw in a Test series, but overall I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and made some really good friends.’

He has enjoyed the experience and believes he will benefit from it when he returns to work in August to prepare to back up this outstanding first full campaign as a Test starter.

Tadhg will get minor surgery on a thumb issue and plans to get home to Wexford to recuperate from a gruelling season. He said he has learned a lot from being on tour with some of the world’s greatest players.

‘I’ve learnt a hell of a lot, been exposed to different coaching methods, players and ideas around the scrum and general field,’ he said.

‘I don’t think matches come much bigger than this one; especially the occasion and pressure that’s on you, eyes from the four nations. I definitely grew within the tour.’